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We had the chance to meet with the MHiMA Project Advisory Group
this week. The group shared at disappointment that we are still
awaiting a government decision on the future of the MHiMA project, and
expressed their concerns that after the substantial input from the
MHiMA NCCCWG it was difficult to see any concrete strategies to address
CALD mental health in the consultation draft of the Fifth Plan.

The group agreed to share resources and ideas in order to ensure
that CALD issues are well articulated as part of the consultation process for
the Fifth Plan, in the hope of a final plan that takes concrete action to
address the substantial disadvantage that CALD communities face.

This week, I have some disappointing news about the MHiMA Project,
but assure you I remain hopeful and committed to doing everything possible to
secure the long-term investment in multicultural mental health.

As many of you know, in May 2016 the Department of Health extended
the MHiMA Project to 31 December 2016, as an interim measure while Government considered
the findings from the ‘recommendations for future directions report’, that
Mental Health Australia provided to Government in March 2016.
The report was formulated after extensive consultation with the
multicultural and mental health sectors.

Sadly, we are still waiting on Government’s response to the
report, despite actively pursuing this with the Department of Health and the
Minister's office.

In the absence of clear advice about the long term future of the
MHiMA Project, and nearing the end of our contract period, Mental Health
Australia has made the difficult decision to complete the project, as currently
contracted, and will wrap up current project activities by 31 December
2016. Although not required to do so, Mental Health Australia plans to
maintain the MHiMA website, including the Framework elements, while we await the Government’s decision about future
directions.

I'm very disappointed to be informing you of this news, and I
recognise this outcome may be upsetting for many of you. I’d like to
acknowledge the hard work and commitment of all those who have been involved
the project recently and, for some, over many years, including members of the
National CaLD Consumer & Carer Working Group (NCCCWG), MHiMA Project
Advisory Group and the Framework pilot sites. The NCCCWG in particular have
worked tirelessly for many years and across many iterations of the project,
their efforts have helped to forge positive changes for CaLD mental health,
though so much is still to be done.

As flagged earlier in the year, we have received positive
indications about the future of a national multicultural mental health project.
However, it remains unclear when a decision about the project’s future may be
made, and how long these processes will take. It is very clear ongoing
uncertainty and short term project extensions have been detrimental to project
activities, the multicultural mental health sector, and those involved with the
project. I have written to the Minister requesting her to take urgent action to
improve mental health outcomes for people from culturally and linguistically
diverse backgrounds.

Mental Health Australia will continue to do all we can to secure
the long term investment in multicultural mental health.

The article, Towards
culturally inclusive service delivery, explores the Framework, a
practical online resource that allows mental health services and staff to
evaluate and enhance their cultural responsiveness. The Framework has been
piloted across Australia, including sites in Queensland, Victoria, Western
Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales. A snapshot of the experience
of pilot sites in NSW is featured in the article, developed with the assistance
of the Transcultural Mental Health Centre, a NSW Health statewide service.

The Australian Health Services Research Institute (AHSRI) has recently conducted an
independent review of the Framework, which considered the Framework’s
structure, delivery and sustainability, and provided recommendations for future
implementation. The review’s findings informed recommendations on the future of
the MHiMA Project, submitted by Mental Health Australia to the Australian
Government in early 2016. We are currently waiting on the Government’s response
about the future of the project, including next steps for the Framework.

On Thursday 15 September 2016, I was pleased to attend the launch of a new
report by our friends at the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia’s (FECCA), ‘Australia’s Growing Linguistic Diversity: An
opportunity for a strategic approach to language services policy and practice’.

The report provides an analysis of FECCA’s consultation and
research to develop an evidence base on language service provision in new and
emerging community languages, that is, languages spoken by individuals who came
to Australia as humanitarian entrants over recent years.

Quality language services are of critical importance in our
diverse society, and can improve access to services, enhance community
connections, and support better health outcomes. Accredited language services
also play a key role in ensuring safety and quality in service provision, and
access to one’s fundamental rights, particularly in the health and legal
domains.

Responsiveness to the diversity of Australian society must remain
a key priority across all human services, including in the mental health
sector. FECCA’s recommendations provide vital direction and a considered path
forward for responding to our linguistic diversity, particularly for new and
emerging communities. Please visit their website for links
to the full report and executive summary.

Last Friday I attended the ANU Research School of Psychology Annual Lecture along with the MHiMA Project Team. This year’s lecture was given by Dr Tim Soutphommasane, Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner, on social cohesion, racism and wellbeing.

The lecture explored the meaning and challenges of social cohesion in Australia; a timely and important discussion in the current political climate. Dr Soutphommasane pointed to the overall success of multiculturalism in Australia, whilst also highlighting the ongoing experience of discrimination that many people face, and the serious the risks of becoming complacent.

Dr Soutphommasane spoke about the real harm caused by discrimination, including to our mental health. He discussed the importance of section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (RDA) in addressing discrimination, including the clear message that this Act sends to the community about our standards and values as a society. Also important although often overlooked, Dr Soutphommasane explained how section 18D of the Act ensures that artistic works, scientific and academic inquiry, and fair comment on matters of public interest are already exempt from section 18C, provided they are done reasonably and in good faith. The Australian Human Rights Commission released a fact sheet on Race Hate and the RDA this week, which addresses common community misunderstandings in this area. Please click here to access this fact sheet.

Social cohesion provides the foundation of trust and belonging that allows all members of our diverse society to live together, and is an ongoing process of which we are all a part. I recently shared the Scanlon Foundation’s report on multiculturalism in Australia today, and encourage everyone to take another look at it. The report shows where we are now, and where we need to head in order to ensure the wellbeing of all members of our society. Please click here to access this report.